The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1887-01-22

The pig-ir increase is about forty per
cent. increase in 1886 over 1885, and the
steel rail increase n not far from fifty per
cent.
IL is no use TO multiply statistics. They
all show about the some general result viz:
A heavy production, an Improvement in
price, and diminution OF stocks at all
points. The sudden expansion of demand
in the latter part of 1886 sent prices up
rapidly, chiefly in iron and steel, but in all
other directions prices have moved up only
a little. Building material has not varied
much. Lumber Is but little above its sum
mer and fall quotations, and builders hard
ware and tools, machinery and agricultural
implements are all az fair and moderate
prices. The most remarkable tendency
observable is TO increase capacity in shops,
mills, factories, and mines. The present
upward tendency may crowd prices TO
point which will endanger enterprise, but
the probabilities are tie other way. Capital
is seeking for the most favorable oppor-
tunities. While the commercial failures are
only ebQutv GOO of persons doing a bust
ness of over $4,000, 20. 900 new firms and
corporations have sprung into life, all with
sufficient capital 20 carry on the purposes
Of their organization.
The cost of livpng az declining steadily,
while the tendehcy la wages is upward.
The increasing Margin FOR the wealth pro-
ducers is creating a field for a multitude
of small indusH ies. Prices cannot safely
advance in iroh or steel In breadstuffs
the probabiltiel are that demand, both
home and foreittb, will increase, and that
great deal of neV territory will be taken up
this year. xteUsive purchases have been
made In the West and South of timber,
mineral, ard HORTICULTURAL lands, for
speculative purposes. The influence OF
capital will N heavy, because of the
profitable apTteciation in values. The
heavy orders (which have been crowd
ing In for \ two months have pro-
tectcd the couilry to a great extent against
the possibilitkes OF reaction. The best
trade authorizes are of the opinion that the
production % 1877 will be 20 per cent. In
excess Of 1883, and that prices will be 10
per cent. higher all around, including
breadstutfs Ind provisions and textile
goods, hardware. and building material.
Large orders hor steel rails cannot be placed
for sooner M September delivery. Heavy
machinery Establishments are sold until
April aud May in many instances, aud
much BUSINESS has been developed for
later constellation through agents and cor
respondencek
Numerous Enterprises will be started in
the Southern States in iron, steel, textile,
lumber nnH mining English capitalists
will have their representatives i'm tho States
in the early)spring TO examine and report
ON extensive operations projected and I'm
which they haye been invited 10 operate.
The enorinous volume OF capital seeking
cmplcyn nt guarantees great activity lin Mi
manufacturing directions. The wages OF
labor will ste as rule uniform, aud fewer
strikes WHY AXE place than last year. The
margin Of profits will increase ON nearly all
kinds Of manufactured products. The fur
mace and MIL and factory capacity will be
increased 4tto 10 per cent. Prices will re-
main steady for few weeks, except In iron
and steel, Until the spring demand can be
discountod.\ The present expanding ten
dency viii hhow signs OF exhaustion by
midsummer